Lace-threading machine



My 10p H LUNDQUIST;

LACE THREADING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 50- 1921 6 Sheets-Sheetv 2 May 10, i927. 1.627,6

H. LLINDQUIST` LACE THREADxNG MACHINE Mgy in, 1921,

H. .LUNDQUisr LAGE THREADIHG MACHINE e snee'izswsneez 4 Original Filed Nov. 30. 1921v May 1o, 1927. @21511- H. L UNDQUIST LACE THREADING MACHINE 'original Filed Noma). 1921 e sheets-sheet 5 i mi :May 1,0 1927.

H. LuNDQuls'r LAGHI THREADING MACHINE original Filed Nov.5o. 1921 6 sheets-sheet 6 Cil Patented May 10, 1927.

vUNITE@ STATES HANS LUNDQUIST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED STATES SPECIALTY PATENT OFFICE.

CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LACE-THREADING MACHINE.

Applcationiiled November-'30, 1921, Serial No. 518,915. Renewed January 14, 1927.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in threading machines and particularly to improvements in a machine for inserting a tape through the mesh of lace material.

an object of the invention is to provide a modification of the device described in Patent Number 1,479,826 issued January 8th, 1924. Like in the said patent, it is an objectof the present invention to conduct a strip of lace material in a predetermined path and to alternately raise and lower said material so as to bring successive strands of the mesh alternately over and above a threading needle. This threading needle serves as carrier for the tape and owing to the feeding movement of the lace material in the manner described, the tape carried by the needle would ultimately be positioned above and below successive strands of the lace.

It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide a needle which is floatingly supported so as to permit, not only the introduction of the lace material with respect to the needle with its strands above the same, but also below the same, to permit the continuation of the movement of the lace ove the entire length of the needle. 1

Another object of the invention is t0 provide a supporting device for the needle which engages the needle on a plurality of points longitudinally spaced on the needle and to control this supporting device, whereby successively and in rotation, some of these supporting elements are removed to permit the travel of the strands past the point at which the supporting elements engage the needle.

It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide a device of this character in which the mechanism for alternately moving the supporting elements to supporting position and away from the supporting position is properly timed with respect to the elements which lift and lower the lace with respect to the needle so as to bring successive strands of the lace alternately into planes above and below the needle.

The invention also has the object of providing a device for properly timing the mechanism controlling the movement of the supporting elements with respect to the mechanism whereby the lace is fed longitudinally of the needle.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means below the needle and having openings for the passage of the support ing elements of the needley to facilitate the advance movement of the lace without interfering with the movement of the supporting` elements.

Another object of the invention is to pro-k vide in a device of this character means for intermittently advancing the lace to feed the same from the needle and to effect this advance movement, whereby the lace is kept in fairly taut condition and in proper timed relation with respect to those feeding elements through whichv the lace is moved into the needle.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a yielding presser foot in opposition to the needle and holding the lace in proper position while being advanced.

' With these and numerous other objects inl view which will become apparent from a perusal of the following specification, an emj bodiment of the invention is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking at theright hand end of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 1 -4. of Fig. 1 through the support of the gripping shoes;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views on lines 5--5, 6 6, and 7-7 respectively of Fig. 1:

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view through a gripper shoe;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view on line 10H10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 illustrates in front elevation a ratchet device for the ribbon feed shown secA tionally in Fig. 6;

Figs. 12, 13, 111, and 15 illustrate perspectively and diagrammatically various details of the machine in consecutive operative steps, and

Fig. 16 shows perspectively the improved form of the needle.

On a base plate l, a motor 2 is in driving connection, through a pinion 3 with a helicoidal gear 4. on a shaft 5 parallel to the same. The shaft 5 carries at the end projecting from the bearing standard 6 a gear 7 in engagementwith another gear S on a shaft 9 which is supported in bearing brackets 10. Between two brackets the shaft 9 is provided with crank portion 12, through which an oscillatory movement is imparted to a bar 13, Fin. 3, terminating in a slotted head 14 for cooperation with the crank and being` oscillatably supported by cross arms 11 in a bracket 15.

The arm 13 carri-es a tubular forward eX- tension 16, Fig. 4, in which a shaft 17 is rotatably held by means of a bearing 18. This arm 17 carries at its free end a gripping' shoe 2O on a post 19 fixed :to the shaft 17, 2l. The shoe 20. Figs. 1 and 12 to 15, .is of substantially part-spherical shape, the spherical portion being limited on that side which is directed toward the point rof the needle by a flat surface.

Another tubular extension 22, 4, on the bar 13 holds a bearing` 23 through which a xf'ertical vshaft 24 rotatably entends. ril`his shaft ICarries at the projecting` end rigidly an arm 25 supportingthe threaded end of a rod 28, normally disposed parallel to the shaft 17 von which the gripping shoe 2() is mounted.

The two extensions 1'6 and 22 communicate with a chamber 30 in which the two shafts 17 and 24 are provided with intermeshing` bevel vgears 31 and 32. 1t @is obvious therefore that upon rotation or part rotation of the arm about a vertical axis a corresponding' movement will be imparted to the shaft 17, about a horizontal axis, the last named movement causing the shoe 2O to rotate in a vertical plane.

The arm 25 is provided with a handle 36 which terminates in a sleeve 37. A spring,` controlled plunger 38, Figi'. 4, slidable with.- in the sleeve, moves upon rotation of the handle over a lateral enlargement or an arm 41 of the extension 22. A socket 42 in the arm 41, Fig. 10 adapted to receive the pointed head of the plunger locks thereby yieldingly the arm 25 in a position vin which the shafts 17 and .28 are operative. A stop pin '4 also arranged in the arm 417 permits the projection 25 to be oscillated in one predetermined Vdirect-ion only.

The bearing' bracket 15 on which the bar 13 is mounted for swinging;v movement is shown in Fig. 1, as comprising two bearing standards on a common base plate. The entire bracket may be shifted transversely of the bar 153 by an adjusting screw 47, Fig. 2. having` a head which is rotatably mounted without being` movable axially, in a small bracket 48 near the edge of the base plate 1. Guide bars 50 detachably mounted on the base plate 1 overlap the longitudinal edges of the foot plate of bracket 15 to assure a rectilinear displaceineiit of the bracket 15 upon rotation of the adjusting,- screw 47.

rlllie arm 28, which projects forwardly from the tubular extension 22, carries at its free end a downwardly directed sleeve V2., Figs. 3 and 9. The sleeve 52 contains a spring controlled plunger 53 guided in a rectilinear path by the pin 54, projecting into a narrow slet of the sleeve 52. rlhe downward movement of the 'plunger may bc adjustably limited by nuts 57 which are secured to the projecting` end 58 ot the plunger. The plunger 58 has at its lower end a partlyv spherical shoe 60 havingv a flat on that side which is directed towards the needle.

The needle 65, Figs. 12 to 1G consists of a fiat bar haa/*ing` an elongated eye G6 at the reduced end and a tape eye 67 at the en larged opposite end, on which the needle is slightly curved. lt rests on a bracket 68, comprising a foot plate. adjustably secured to the base 1 of the machine 5 and tivo standards 69, 1 which are similar in constijuctiou. They carry at their upper ends the heads 70. Figi'. 5 provided with vertical bores adapted to l:guide the plunlgjers 72, which terminate at their tops in needle hold ingl elements in form of pins 73. adapted to enter suitable openings 74 correspondingi).7 spaced in the needle G5. rlhe foot portions of the plungers, Fig. 5, are each provided with a bearing` openingor notch 75 to receive a pin 76. This pin connects two prongs of a bifurcated head 78 on levers 79 and 79 respectively which are pivotally mounted in a bracket 80 secured to the top of the base 1.

From Fig. 2 it will be seen that the heads 78 are offset with respect to the levers 79 79 so thatI a medial plane of these heads coincide with a medial plane of the standards 69, containing; the axis of the pertaining plunger 73.

The movement of these levers controlled from cam discs 81 an(` 82, which are ri ,'dly secured to the shaft 9 and which are provided with cam grooves 83 engaged bv rollers 85 at the ends of the levers. Dependent. therefore, upon the angular relation or shape of the cam grooves 83, the levers 79. will be oscillated preferablyv in alternation and will. thereby, alternately raise and lower each of the plunejers 72 and pins 7?) to hold the needle 65 against axial and lateral displacement. lWhen the pins 7 8 are in operative position they form ich an obstruction against advance of the lace on the needle; they permit. however. upon withdrawal of the plunger a strand of the material to pass underneath the needle.

To facilitate the movement of the lace niateri-al a guard plate '86 having a top. a side wall, and two end walls, is placed below the needle, on top of the heads 70, and is also retained against longitudinal or lateral Til ' The free movement by the pins 73 of the plungers which '(as described) are alternately passed through the combined needle and guard, or Withdrawn from them.

Adjustment of 'the bracket 15 longitudinally may become nec ary with different kinds of the lace. This iscffccted by screw 47, and would lead to an alteration in lhe distance between thev grippii'ig shoes 20, 60 and the holding elements 73 of the needle 65. As this alteration may not be desirable a distance piece is attached to the bracket 63 and connected 'with the central web vof the bracket 15. rThis distance piece comprising a rod 38 which projects from the central web of the bracket 15 and which has an angular extension 89y continued by a pin 90 which is threaded at its outer end and -passed through the adjacent standard 69.v If, therefore, the bracket 15 is displaced, for instance, to the left, in Fig. 1, the bracket 68 will also be displaced a corresponding,- distance to the left. By means of the nut 91 on the pin extension the effective length of the latterv may be altered and an addi- ;tional adjustment may then be effected so as to secure the desired relations of these elements.

The means provided for pushing the lace mat ,rial on the needle, `through action on the transverse strands of the material, ar similar to the means described in my Patent No. 1,473,826 issued January 8, 1924, and serving the saine purpose. These means include feeding` pins and 101, acting from above and from below on the respectively transverse strands of the material and entering in this operation through the extended eye 66 near the point of the needle. rThe movement of these pins, therefore. as described in the above named copen ing application, extends through asubstantially elliptical path which is, in this instance, produced by the combination' of an oscillatory movement with a reciprocating movement. ment of the feeding pins 100 and 101 is derived from crank disks104, 104, mounted at the free end of shafts 105 and 5, respectively, supported in parallel bearings 6 and 106. The upper shaft 105 as may be seen from Fig.y 7 receives the movement from the lower shaft 5 through the gear Wheel 4, in engagement with a imilar gear Wheel 108 on shaft 105, whereby both'shafts 5 and 105 are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions. Slides 110, 110 adjustably secured to the disks 104, 104 are provided ,With Wrist pins 112 surrounded by the heads 113, 113 of crank arms 114, 114. lends of the crank arms are each pivotally secured to head 119, 119 of rods 120, 120, ig. 1. These rods carry at their other ends connecting elements 121 for joinrlthe reciprocating move-` ing them to the stems 122, 122 of the holding` devices for the feed pins 100, 101.

The rods 120 and120 entend through guiding sleeves 135, respectively, and by imparting an voscillating moven'ient to these guiding sleeves the feeding pins' 100, 101 are compelled to travel in an elliptical path. The sleeves 135, 135 may be supported by means of yokes 136 and 136', respectively, similar to the corresponding arrangement described in the above mentioned patent.

Each of `these yokes, is of substantially rectangular shape, as may be seen from Fig. 2, and they are oscillatably supported` on the shafts 105 and 5, respectively, Fig. 7, by means of hubs 137, 137. A tubular lateral extension 141, 141 projecting from one of the longitudinal bars of each frame forwardly serves as a bearing for a shaft 142, 142 which is also supported in a bearingl of the other longitudinal frame bar. Between the two bars of cach frame the pertaining shafts 142 and 142 are firmly counected, Fig. 3, with a sleeve 146 at the for- Ward end of arms 147, 147, respectively, each arm having at its rear end a cam roller 149, 149 respectively which rides in a suitable cam groove of discs 151, 151 secured to shafts 105 and 5, respectively. The shafts y142, 142 carry attheir outer ends the sleeves 135, 135 through Which the bars 120 may slide, and as these sleeves arel oscillated owing to the cam controlled movement of the arms 147, 1 7 the feeding fingers 100, 101 not only will be imparted reciprocating movement back and forth and over the needle, but at the same time an oscillating movement, whereby the entire path of movement of these fingers is converted into an elliptic path. This entire part ofthe machine is in many respects.

very similar to the corresponding details of the said patent.

Figs. 1 and 8 show that the upper frame 136 is pulled dovvnvvard at itsl free end by a spring 152 anchored in a hook 153 which is secured to the base plate of the machine. A rigid element in the form of an adjustable screw 154 secured to the frame 136 is interposed between the two frames, Fig. 3, and a stop rod 155 is adjustably secured to the lower-'frame 136. ln the normal position of the frames, Fig. S, this rod 155 rests on the base 1 of the machine. The .downward movement induced by the spring `:vill be communicated to the lower frame, and the resistance encountered by the lower frame when the stop rod strikes the base plate will be transmitted to the upper frame.

For the 'purpose of uniformly maintainingl the lace material smoothly'in proper position in the needle 65 a presser shoe 160 in the form of an elongated plate is secured to a stem 161 1n adjustable connection with a rod 162, the rear portion of which is sup` ported in small bearing brackets 163 on the longitudinal bars of the upper' frame 136. As this upper frame is yieldingly forced down by the spring 152 the shoe 160 therefore also will be forced yieldingly towards the upper surface of the lace so as to exert a braking effect.

The puckering or gathering of the lace material on the needle, however, is also to be avoided, and for this purpose a positively driven frictional feeding device is disposed near the end of the needle to act on the lace material. This positive frictional feeding device, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 11 comprises a shaft 170 rotatably supported in a bearing` standard 171 which is secured to the base plate of the machine. A pair of friction rollers 172 is secured to this shaft so as to be rotated with the same, the rollers being spaced from each other by a collar 173, whose axial length corresponds approximately to the width of the needle. Another roller 1711 having enlarged circumferential portions and an intermediary reduced cylindrical portion, is mounted on a short shaft 17 5 which is rotatably carried in a bracket 176 secured to a sliding plate 177 on the front of the bracket 171. The bracket 176 and plate 177 may be adjusted in vertical direction so as to permit more or less thick lace material to be pulled frictionally by the cooperating rollers 172 and 174, in longitudinal direction of the needle.

The intermittent rotation of the shaft 170 to rotate the rollers 172 is effected by a ratchet device, 11, which is actuated in a predetermined timely relation with respect to the movement of the feeding` fingers 100, 101. Figs. 1, 7 and 11, show that the cranks 110, 110 from which a reciprocating movement of the feeding ngers is derived carry rings 179, 179 respectively rigidly connected with bars 180, 181, extending to the ratchet device. The bars are at their forward end pivotally associated with pawl plates 182 and 183, which are loosely mounted on the shaft 170 so as to be oscillatable independently of the rotary movement of said shaft. These plates 182 and 183 carry each a spring controlled pawl 184i-, and 185 respectively adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 186 which is fiXedly secured to the shaft 170. I-Ience the two pawls will alternately advance the ratchet wheel 186, and while each one of these pawls advances the ratchet plate, the other pawl will inoperatively slide over the teeth of the ratchet causing thereby an intermittent feeding movement of the rollers 172 and preventing therefore the puckering or gathering of the lace material on the needle.

A switch for the motor is indicated at 190 and may -be used for connecting or disconnecting the motor, and a resistance or r11-eostat shown at 191 may be used for altering the speed of the motor. The construction of these devices does not form any part of the present invention.

The operation of the device will be quite clearly understood from the above description. The operator opens the gripping shoes 19 and 60 by swinging the handle 36 to the left, Fig. 2, whereby the gripping shoe is moved sideways and the shoe 19 is rotated downward. Upon return of the handle the material is then firmly gripped between these shoes and as these shoes reciprocate vertically directly in front of the point of the needle the strands of the lace will be moved alternately above and below the needle. The feed fingers 100 and 101 after having engaged the first strand will now pull the lace over the needle by alternately engaging the strands from above and below the needle, so as to advance the same along the needle.

The needle is exchange-ably supported vin a condition which ma'y be designated as a floating condition between the guard box 86 and the yielding pressure shoe.

It is held against axial displacement by the pins 7 3 which alternately enter into the corresponding openings of the needle. The lace material advancing against the first pin 7:3 will be permitted to continue its travel when the pin is withdrawn, and the path of the lace will be lobstructed by t-he Vsecond pin until the latter is withdrawn. In spite of this withdrawal of the pins, the needle, how` ever, is held against axial displacement. Owing to this peculiar support of the needle, the necessity of providing a fixed needle in the form of a single helix as in known threading` machines, and as for instance described in the above mentioned patent, is avoided. A uniform advance of the material over lthe needle and beyond the needle is assured by the ratchet feeding device engaging that part of the lace material which has advanced beyond the pins, and whereby this lace material in the 4desired arrangement of the strands is conveyed over the tape T inserted into the opening at the rear end of the needle.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described,

automatic means and movable means projecting through the needle for preventing axial displacement of t-he saine.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, a plurality of pointed elements on which the needle is held and automatic means for varying the number of the holding elements, said elements projecting through the needle.

di. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lacev feeding means, a needle, elements for positively holding the needle aga-inst longitudinal movement and automatic means for moving said holding elements successively to operative position with respect to the needle and through the same` In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, holding elements passing through the needle at several different points, and automatic means vfor successively altering the points at which the elements pass through the needle.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding mechanism, a needle a plurality of movable holding elements for the needle and elements connecting the lace feeding mechanism With said holding elements for altering the position of said elements With respect to the needle in accordance Wit-h the position of parts of the feeding' mechanism.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle having a plurality of spacedopenings, holding elements for `the needle; in alignment with said openings, and automatic means for moving said holding elements into and out of engagement with said openings.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, holding elements disposed on one side only of the needle, automatic means for alternately moving said holding elements to and from operative position, and lace braking means on the opposite side of the needle.

9. In a'l machine of the character' described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, holding elements arranged below the needle only, automatic means for alternately moving said holding elements to and from operative position with respect to the needle and a lace braking element movably arranged on top of the needle.

l0. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle having spaced openings, pins adapted to enter said openings, and automatic means for moving said pins successively into said openings.

ll. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, holding elements adapted to pass through the needle to prevent axial displacement thereof, and automatic means for moving one of said elements to operative position and another one to inoperative position with respect to the needle.

l2. Ina machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, a plurality of serially disposed obstructions on one side of thc needle only in the path of the lace meting along said needle, and automatic means for successively withdrawing said obstructions.

13. In a machine of the character described, the vcombination of lace feeding means, a needle, a plurality of obstruct" g elements on one side of the needle only in the path of the lace on the needle and auto-- matic means for alternately withdrawing said elements from obstructing position, and moving them to obstructing position.

14. In a machine of the character doscribed, the combination of lace 'i' means, a needle formed with periorati serially disposed elements adapted to pa. through the needle, and to obstruct the advance of the lace on the needle, and automatic means for vertically moving one of said elements from obstructive position While another one is returned by movement in vertical direction to obstructing position, and vice versa.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of lace feeding means, a needle, a plurality of pins obstruct*- ing the advance of the lace on the needle at different parts of the needle and automatic means operating in predetermined timed relll() lation with lrespect to the feeding means for `alternately removing said obstructions.

16. Inl a machine of the character described, the combination of a needle, lace gripping means adapted to alternately raise and lower the lace to be threaded with respect to the point of the needle, a plurality of holding elements for the needle, and means operating in predetermined timed relation with respect to said gripping means, for moving said elements to operative position and alternately removing` them from the needle.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a needle, automatic means for feeding lace onto the needleelements adapted to pass through the needle for holding the needle against axial displacement, and automatic means for severally moving said holding elements successively to and from operative position.

18. In a machine of the character' described, the combination of a motor, a lace gripping means driven by said motor, a needle, a plurality of needle holding elements adapted to alternately enter into and out of the needle, and means controlled by said motor for actuating' sa-idv elements. y

L9. ln a machine of the character described, the combination ol" a motor driven train shaft, lace ripping` meanscontrolled by said cam shaft, a needle provided with a plurality ot spaced openings, pins adapted to enter said openings and to hold said needle against movement in a predetermined direction, and means controlled iroinsaid cam shaft for actuating said pins.

20, In a machine of the character described, the combination of a motor, motor controlled elements tor feeding,` lace in a predetermined directi'on, a needle, and motor controlled elements Jfor alternately passing through said needle at different points and liolding` said needle against movement in a predetermined direction.

21. in a machine ot the character de scribed, the combination of a needle, a pair ol: lace 'Feeding pins, power dii'iven means 'for moving; said pins along and through the needle near one end ot' the same and a lace teedingl device disposed near the other end oi the needle under control olf the saidl power driven means.

2:2. In a machine ot the character described, the combina-tion of a substantially straight needle, a support on which the nee dle is loosely placed,lace feeding means and? power actuated elements successively projectingl through theneedle for holding the needle againstdisplacement.

23.111 a machine of the character' de scribed, the combination of a needle, means 'for conveying lace onto said needle, said lace feedingI mea-ns comprising a pair of pins adapted to engage alternate strands ot the lace, and means operated simultaneously with the Aieeilimggpins 'tor ren'loving the lace l'from the needle.

2l. in a machine of the character scribed, the coinl'iinatioii of a needle, a device vtor advancing lace on the needle, the device comprising,` a pair oft Yfriction rollers oi which al least. one engages the lace ma terial, and means 'for intermittently driving one oit said friction rollers.

25. ln a niacnin-e of the character described, the con'ibination ot a needle, a lace feeding` device including a ratchet associat ed with a trictien roller, a companion roller lor 'said friction roller, the lace being` conducted through the space between said roll ers, a pair ot pawls engaging said ratchet, and means Jfor alternately actuating;` said pawls.

26.131 a: machine oi the character de scribed, the con'ibination oi lace gripping` means, a needle, means alternately passing' through said needle at diiierent points 't'or holding the needle against axial displacement, and an element connecting said grippin-. g means and needle holding); means.

2?. ln a machine of. the character described, the combination o'l' a pair of gripping shoes, a needle, means for vertically reciprocating4 said gripping' shoes in front of the point of the needle, a bar to which said gripping shoes are connected, a shaft for oscillating said bar, pins alternately engaging' 'said needle on a plurality of points for holding the needle against axial displacement, and means controlled by the same shaft for actuating said pins.

ln testimony whereof, l affix my signature at 36 1W. Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois.

HANS LUNDQUST. 

